What's New

Ontario's e-bike pilot project

The province of Ontario is conducting a three-year pilot project to evaluate the use of power-assisted bicycles (also known as electric bikes or e-bikes) on roads and highways.  The pilot is open to all Ontarians age 16 and older.

What is a powered-assisted bicycle (electric bike/e-bike)?

An e-bike is a bicycle with an added battery-powered electric motor that assists the rider in pedalling and increases the amount of power to the wheel.  In some models, the motor can propel the bicycle without pedalling.  E-bikes can also be driven like a conventional bicycle without any power assist.   The power assist enables the rider to pedal with less effort, to climb hills and ride against the wind more easily.  An e-bike is similar to a conventional bike in terms of size, weight, speed and the riding skills required.

Only e-bikes that conform to the federal definition of a power-assisted bicycle can be legally operated on public roads.  To meet this definition, the e-bike must have:

• Operable pedals
• An electric motor that cannot provide power assist at a speed greater than 32 km/hour and a power output that does not exceed 500 watts
• A label affixed by the manufacturer that states in both English and French that the vehicle is a "power-assisted bicycle" as defined in the federal regulations

During the three-year pilot project, e-bikes and their operators will be treated, for the most part, in the same manner as bicycles and bicyclists under the Highway Traffic Act.  All e-bike operators must be 16 years of age and older, and must wear an approved bicycle helmet.  Anyone failing to do so may be fined.

Traffic laws that apply to bicycles also apply to e-bikes.  This means that e-bikes are not permitted to travel where bicycles are not allowed, such as controlled-access highways and municipal roads and sidewalks where by-laws do not permit bicycles.  E-bikes must have a bell and front and rear lights when you ride between one-half hour before sunset and one-half hour after sunrise.

Operators of e-bikes are not required to hold a driver's licence, to have the e-bike registered or plated or to have motor vehicle insurance.